The history of Sears – Craftsman Tractors in Pictures:
Since it is rumored that Craftsman has redesigned all of their tractors for 2014, now is a good time to do a recap of the line. I’ll give you a little history and then show you pictures from the first tractor sold in 1946 to latest 2013 models. I’m not going to go into the complete history. That would take a book and the pictures are much more interesting.
Manufactures:
The majority of the tractors with the Sears/Craftsman name have been made by one company. The company itself has gone through many owners and is currently part of Husqvarna. The production facility is located in Orangeburg, SC. Companies now owned by Briggs & Stratton, John Deere, Agri-Fab and MTD also produced some models and attachments for Sears. In 2013 Rider and LT series were made for Craftsman by MTD and the YT and GT series were made by Husqvarna.
The basic design of the Sears garden tractors can be traced back to the original David Bradley tractors. In 1910 Sears bought David Bradley Manufacturing Company, in Kankakee, Illinois and started producing David Bradley garden tractors in 1946. In 1959 Sears started selling a 4 wheel garden tractor called the David Bradley Suburban. In 1964 the David Bradley name was dropped Sears brand name was added to the Suburban tractors. In 1966 Roper Corporation acquired the David Bradley plant. Electrolux acquired Roper sometime around 1978 and the manufacturing was moved to Orangeburg, SC. In 1988 Electrolux was then bought by Husqvarna and the L&G division’s name was changed to American Yard Products (AYP). In 2006 Husqvarna is spun off from Electrolux. The name was changed to Husqvarna Group. The tractors are still made in the U.S. at the Orangeburg plant.
Click on the Picture to see a larger view.
1946 to 1949
1951 to 1953
1956
1959 – 1960 The Hood Came Off
1964 – 1967 Craftsman Engine
1959
The Suburban tractor was introduced in 1959 as a David Bradley and evolved over the next six years into iconic Sears Suburban tractor. The Suburban was the heavy duty workhorse of the Sears lineup until 1979. The Suburban had one of the widest arrays of implements of all the garden tractors. The Suburban was available over the years with engines of horse power ratings from 10 to 18.
1964 1976
The Custom tractor made it appearance in 1964 and was available through 1973. Customs were not available in 1974 or 1975 but were available in 1976; the last year for the Custom series. They were the little brothers of the Suburban tractors. Some of the early entry level Customs had the designation of Compact. The engines for the Custom series ranged from 6 HP to 10 HP. Some were manual start while others were electric. The 1973 and 1976 versions sported the ST designation and the Aztec Gold and White paint like their big brother Suburbans. The Custom tractors could handle the same 3 point hitch and ground engaging rear implements as the bigger Suburban. Front attachments were limited to the dozer blade and snow blower. The Custom front axle was flat and lighter duty than that of the Suburban. They could not handle the front end loader, sickle bar mower or the other attachments that required the Suburban mule drive mounting such as the chipper/shreader or the generator.
Anniversary Tractor
On September 16, 1974 at 11:30 am, the 500,000th tractor rolled off the assembly line at the Roper Outdoor Products plant. Roper began producing garden tractors in 1958. In April, 1969, the 250,00th tractor rolled out of the plant. Just five years later, the
count was up to one half million.
1975
1976
1977
1980’S
1990’S
2000’S
2010-2012
2013
Never Sold
george iliffe
I bought a old craftsman lawn tractor as a back up (constantly Something) Huskee LT4200 . I don’t know what year it is but it is labeled 18 HP 42″ six speeds, and Wizard on the hood. I would like to know if a manual is available .
Paul
Hi george, Under the seat, there is a label with the model and serial number. The first six numbers of the serial will tell you when it was made. For example, 051797 would be May 17, 1997. Use the model number to see if a manual is available. Go to searspartsdirect.com. Enter the model number. (it probably starts with 917.) Parts diagrams will pop up and there should be a tab where you can download the manual. You can read it on your computer or print it out.
Robert Schultz
What happened to all the pictures ??
Paul
Hi Robert, I switched website hosting companies and those pictures disappeared during the transfer. I’ll have to go out and find them again this spring. In the meantime check out the new article – Sears and Husqvarna Group Lawn Tractors – a 108 Year Continuous Manufacturing Relationship Stops.
Lamar Zim
I got a Roper RT8E tractor. Can you tell me what the top speed is? 6SPD transmission.
Paul
Hi Lamar, I remember that tractor but I would not have a clue how fast it ran in stock form. I know a few guys who tractor pull with them and they can get 30 mph!
Hollowalone1
Wow love this article.growing up I have seen and used many of these.
My father had a early/mid seventys version.
Later he had a 80s grey boxy which I had to use as part of my chores.
When I bought the house and property in 2010. I got the 99 green 19hp 42″ green mower( along with a 2009 craftsman zts6000).
I just replaced the 99 mower this past year with 2 2014 mowers( 20383 and 20403).
The 99 I gave to my neighbor who uses it every weekend to mow.
Shayne. Johnstown,ohio